Theodore Roosevelt has been labeled by some historians as "one of the biggest characters in American History." At various stages in his life he was a physical culturalist, a naval historian, a biographer, an essayist, a paleontologist, a taxidermist, an ornithologist, a field naturalist, a conservationist, a big-game hunter, an editor, a critic, a ranchman/cowboy, an orator, a country squire, a civil service reformer, a socialite, a patron of the arts, an explorer, a colonel of the cavalry (a Medal of Honor winner, in fact), a Governor of New York, a Vice-President, a Nobel Prize winner, the ranking expert on big-game mammals in North America and President of the U.S. View this video clip from CNN on TR for more information about the 26th president.
Below are quotes and questions about Teddy Roosevelt. As always, answer to the best of your ability using the links as a guide (but not the sole source) to answer the questions that follow them.
1. "It is true of the Nation, as of the individual, that the greatest doer must also be a great dreamer." In order to get some context of this complex President (and forerunner of the "American Century"), examine this quick biography for context about what he did (and how he did it). As you read, write down the various positions/jobs he held (or was appointed to). When you get to his Presidency, list his accomplishments during his two terms in office. After you know the facts, examine how he overcome the "systems" in place to maintain his goal of reform and explain why you think he felt change was neccessary in American society. Was he successful? Why or why not?
2. "I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well." Theodore Roosevelt could be accused himself of living "an easy life" - growing up in wealth in New York City, attending Harvard (and graduating at the top of his class), marrying into an even wealthier Boston family, becoming a member of the New York State Assembly as a very young age (helped by his connections). With all those advantages, what allowed TR to claim that he was a "self-made man"? What was the self-image he wanted to project onto others? Do you think his dedication to the "stenuous life" help or hinder is rise to the top? Why or why not?
3. "If you speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far." Although you could (rightly) state that TR's drive for fame and glory in the Spanish-American war was personal, his actions leading up to and following the conflict led to the birth of a superpower. For most of his life, TR felt that in order to make the United States strong what did it need to build up? Why was he such as strong advocate of war with Spain and for what a war would bring to the country? What was the purpose behind the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine and what risks did it have when it came to enforcement? TR has been labeled a "war-monger" by many historians - it that a fair assumption? Why or why not?
4. "No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man's permission when we require him to obey it.This country has nothing to fear from the crooked man who fails. We put him in jail. It is the crooked man who succeeds who is a threat to this country." At a time when business controled all, TR was seen as a "traitor to his class" by taking on the most powerful people in the country. Why did TR think the government should act in order to "clean up" business? How was he different from McKinley and the Presidents before him? What was the Northern Securities "show down" between Morgan and Roosevelt about (what did each seek to do)?
5. "We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less. The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us." Examine both the Coal Strike of 1902 and the creation of the FDA (following the publishing of //The Jungle// in 1906). Why did he choose to get involved in the coal strike and what did he force both sides to accept? What was the point that Upton Sinclair (a socialist) hoped the readers of The Jungle would understand and how did TR miss the point (or did he)? Are both of these cases examples of what TR called his Square Deal - did he act to help labor or to further the national interest? Is there a difference between the two? Explain why or why not.
6. "This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in." Read this article about what we can learn from TR. According to the author, how did TR buck conventional wisdom at the time (besides being the first President to ride in a car)? In your opinion (and based on what was said in the article), how would TR react to the big issues of our day - Immigration, the War on Terror, the Environment, and Big Business? For each answer, explain why and give an example from his Presidency.
7. "I don't think any President ever enjoyed himself more than I did." TR often stated that his biggest mistake was ruling out running for a third term in 1908. Although no rule was in place limiting him from running, tradition held that a President should only be elected to two terms in office (TR finished three and a half years of McKinley's term before being elected in 1904). Instead, he offered the position to his friend, William Howard Taft, who was in turn elected by the American people. However, TR wasn't happy. Why did he chose to run against Taft in 1912? Why did he feel robbed at the Republican convention and what did he do about it? What is a progressive and was he a perfect fit for that party? Why or why not? What was the result of the Election of 1912?
8. "I have a perfect horror of words that are not backed up by deeds." Did Leon Czolgosz, as the author of "10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America" believes, do the United States a favor by placing an individual like Roosevelt, who would have never been nominated otherwise, into the position of power? How would the United States be different today (or would it not) if the assisination had been prevented? Explain your response in 50-100 words.
Other interesting things...just for fun about TR!
The story behind (and a picture of) where the "Teddy Bear" came from (from the Smithsonian website)
Theodore Roosevelt WebQuest
Theodore Roosevelt has been labeled by some historians as "one of the biggest characters in American History." At various stages in his life he was a physical culturalist, a naval historian, a biographer, an essayist, a paleontologist, a taxidermist, an ornithologist, a field naturalist, a conservationist, a big-game hunter, an editor, a critic, a ranchman/cowboy, an orator, a country squire, a civil service reformer, a socialite, a patron of the arts, an explorer, a colonel of the cavalry (a Medal of Honor winner, in fact), a Governor of New York, a Vice-President, a Nobel Prize winner, the ranking expert on big-game mammals in North America and President of the U.S. View this video clip from CNN on TR for more information about the 26th president.
Below are quotes and questions about Teddy Roosevelt. As always, answer to the best of your ability using the links as a guide (but not the sole source) to answer the questions that follow them.
1. "It is true of the Nation, as of the individual, that the greatest doer must also be a great dreamer." In order to get some context of this complex President (and forerunner of the "American Century"), examine this quick biography for context about what he did (and how he did it). As you read, write down the various positions/jobs he held (or was appointed to). When you get to his Presidency, list his accomplishments during his two terms in office. After you know the facts, examine how he overcome the "systems" in place to maintain his goal of reform and explain why you think he felt change was neccessary in American society. Was he successful? Why or why not?
2. "I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well." Theodore Roosevelt could be accused himself of living "an easy life" - growing up in wealth in New York City, attending Harvard (and graduating at the top of his class), marrying into an even wealthier Boston family, becoming a member of the New York State Assembly as a very young age (helped by his connections). With all those advantages, what allowed TR to claim that he was a "self-made man"? What was the self-image he wanted to project onto others? Do you think his dedication to the "stenuous life" help or hinder is rise to the top? Why or why not?
3. "If you speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far." Although you could (rightly) state that TR's drive for fame and glory in the Spanish-American war was personal, his actions leading up to and following the conflict led to the birth of a superpower. For most of his life, TR felt that in order to make the United States strong what did it need to build up? Why was he such as strong advocate of war with Spain and for what a war would bring to the country? What was the purpose behind the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine and what risks did it have when it came to enforcement? TR has been labeled a "war-monger" by many historians - it that a fair assumption? Why or why not?
4. "No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man's permission when we require him to obey it. This country has nothing to fear from the crooked man who fails. We put him in jail. It is the crooked man who succeeds who is a threat to this country." At a time when business controled all, TR was seen as a "traitor to his class" by taking on the most powerful people in the country. Why did TR think the government should act in order to "clean up" business? How was he different from McKinley and the Presidents before him? What was the Northern Securities "show down" between Morgan and Roosevelt about (what did each seek to do)?
5. "We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less. The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us." Examine both the Coal Strike of 1902 and the creation of the FDA (following the publishing of //The Jungle// in 1906). Why did he choose to get involved in the coal strike and what did he force both sides to accept? What was the point that Upton Sinclair (a socialist) hoped the readers of The Jungle would understand and how did TR miss the point (or did he)? Are both of these cases examples of what TR called his Square Deal - did he act to help labor or to further the national interest? Is there a difference between the two? Explain why or why not.
6. "This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in." Read this article about what we can learn from TR. According to the author, how did TR buck conventional wisdom at the time (besides being the first President to ride in a car)? In your opinion (and based on what was said in the article), how would TR react to the big issues of our day - Immigration, the War on Terror, the Environment, and Big Business? For each answer, explain why and give an example from his Presidency.
7. "I don't think any President ever enjoyed himself more than I did." TR often stated that his biggest mistake was ruling out running for a third term in 1908. Although no rule was in place limiting him from running, tradition held that a President should only be elected to two terms in office (TR finished three and a half years of McKinley's term before being elected in 1904). Instead, he offered the position to his friend, William Howard Taft, who was in turn elected by the American people. However, TR wasn't happy. Why did he chose to run against Taft in 1912? Why did he feel robbed at the Republican convention and what did he do about it? What is a progressive and was he a perfect fit for that party? Why or why not? What was the result of the Election of 1912?
8. "I have a perfect horror of words that are not backed up by deeds." Did Leon Czolgosz, as the author of "10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America" believes, do the United States a favor by placing an individual like Roosevelt, who would have never been nominated otherwise, into the position of power? How would the United States be different today (or would it not) if the assisination had been prevented? Explain your response in 50-100 words.
Other interesting things...just for fun about TR!